Suntory Malaysia

History of Suntory Whisky

Suntory began in 1899 with the Torii Shoten store in Osaka. Founder Shingiro Torii envisioned a whisky filled with the essence of Japanese nature and crafted by artisans through a patient process of enhancing the work of nature.

He achieved that dream in 1937 with Suntory Whisky Kakubin, which became the heart and soul of the Japanese whisky industry and remains Japan’s top-selling whisky by value today.

Who is the creator of Suntory?

Shinjiro Torii was born in the Meiji Period, a period when Western cultural influences were spreading throughout the formally-isolationalist Japan. At a young age, Torii apprenticed as a pharmaceutical vendor in Osaka, where he would be exposed to the world of Western liquors.

After mastering the techniques of mixing and blending through his apprenticeships, Torii became independent in 1899, renting a modest house where he would start pursuing a dream.

Why is it called Suntory?

The name came about in 1907 after Shinjiro introduced the successful Akadama port wine. The drink’s name referenced the red sphere of the sun, the source of all life. This, in turn, would lead to Torii Shoten being renamed Suntory, a portmanteau of Sun and Torii, in 1963.

What is the product of Suntory?

For generations, Suntory has produced many successful and beloved blends, gracing the shelves of alcohol enthusiasts the world over. Here are some of the more famous Suntory whiskeys:

Roku Gin

This legendary Japanese craft gin is the first of its kind. It is made using a selection of botanicals, including six Japanese botanicals that provide a whistle-stop tour of the four seasons.

These four seasons include the beautiful sakura leaf and flower in spring, sencha and gyokuro tea in summer, sansho pepper in autumn, and yuzu peel in winter.

Suntory Whisky Kakubin

Named for its signature square bottle, Kakubin is a very adaptable whiskey with a sweet scent, rich flavour, and dry finish. Today, the Kakubin highball remains the drink of choice for many Japanese when they go out for a night of food and drink.

Hibiki Suntory Whisky

This exceptional blend uses grain and malt whiskies from renowned Japanese distilleries in Yamazaki, Hakushu, and Chita. Poetically called “Kanzen”, which means complete in Japanese, this blend honours the harmony in Japanese tradition, represented by its 24-faceted bottle.

Suntory Yamazaki Whisky 12-Year-Old

Suntory’s flagship single malt whisky is made by Japan’s first and older malt distillery. This whisky is carefully made using diverse fermentation, distillation and maturation techniques, and aged in American, Spanish, and Japanese Mizunara oak.

Suntory Hakushu 12-Year-Old

Made in the world-famous Hakushu Distillery, this single malt whisky is a blend of carefully selected whiskies aged in various casks for a minimum of 12 years.

Suntory Umeshu Plum Liqueur

A Suntory original, this authentic plum liqueur is made with plum wine matured in Yamazaki whisky casks. This creates a unique blend with a wonderfully deep and aromatic palate, best enjoyed chilled, whether straight or mixed with soda water.

Suntory Midori Melon

Recognised by its bright green colour, this melon-flavoured liqueur is a popular ingredient in cocktails. Midori’s distinctive flavour comes from Yubari melons, mixed with raw liqueur and other ingredients using Suntory’s exclusive blending techniques.

Suntory Old Whisky

Introduced in 1940, this popular medium-bodied release is still one of Japan’s most prestigious whiskies, even after single malts gained popularity in the 1980s.

Suntory Sui Gin

This premium gin combines three of Japan’s most famous flavours, yuzu, green tea, and ginger, into a refreshing and delicious drink. The Sui Gin encompasses every uniquely Japanese flavour along with eight traditional gin botanicals: juniper berry, coriander seed, angelica root, angelica seed, cardamom seed, cinnamon, bitter orange peel, and lemon peel.

The result is a refreshing, unique and all-round delicious drinking experience that is perfect on the rocks, with tonic water, or in cocktails.

Suntory Royal Blended Whisky

Released in 1960 to mark the company’s 60th anniversary, Suntory released this exceptional blend of Hibiki, Yamazaki, and Hakushu, presenting a supreme example of Japanese whisky-making.

Torys Extra Whisky

A staple of the Suntory Whisky brand for over seven decades, Suntory’s Tory Extra Whisky is a classic Japanese stalwart with a smooth body and clear finish. The perfect drink for mixing with soda water.

Suntory AO World Whisky

Whereas other blends achieve harmony by unifying individual whisky personalities, the unique AO World blend does so at its base, layering and highlighting a multitude of characteristics.

The result is a plethora of aromas and flavours that are different every time you drink it, depending on when and how you drink it.

What does Suntory taste like?

Each Suntory drink offers a unique flavour profile, inviting everyone to taste the difference:

Torys Extra

A sweet fruitiness on the palate gives it a refreshing zest, ending on a clean finish.

Hibiki

Hibiki entices the nose with the aromas of apricots, orange blossom, and marmalade. A single sip brings a generous wave of oranges and apricots, followed by a slight peppery note that does not overpower the fruity taste.

Yamazaki 12-Year-Old

The nose is tingled by notes of peach, pineapple, grapefruit, clove and candied orange with a hint of vanilla. The taste is multi-layered, with coconut, cranberry, and butter tastes prominent on the palate. It ends on a long finish with notes of sweet ginger and cinnamon.

AO World

A smooth and sweet mouthfeel follows a profound vanilla and pineapple-like aroma. It finishes with a multi-faceted taste: sweet and smoky, spicy and woody.

Old

An uncomplicated aroma of sweet honey vanilla and sugar-coated oranges, followed by cherries and candied apple. The taste is surprisingly balanced, and the finish is quick, with a slight hint of pepper spice right at the end.

Roku Gin

Smelling like fresh pine with a citrusy tinge, the complex and multi-layered taste of traditional gin in the base, plus Japanese botanical notes, brings to mind a Japanese spring. The taste of crisp Japanese sansho pepper brings a little spiciness to the finish.

Sui Gin

The bright, sunny smell of yuzu is accompanied by plenty of ginger. The taste opens with oranges, followed by green tea, underscored by a grainy corn base. As it finishes, the juniper finally shows itself.

Kakubin

The unique fruity and floral aroma quickly identifies it as a Japanese whiskey. Flavours of grain alcohol, cereals, vanilla, honey and grapefruit all contribute to a watery, sugary, edgy, and somewhat bitter taste before ending on a short, sugary, sweet and watery finish.

Royal Blended

Smells of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies and melted butter, with a flavour of apple and pear, ripe banana, sliced red capsicums, and toasted almonds.

Hakushu 12-Year-Old

The aroma of toasted barley, seed and nut loaf, chopped almonds, and barrel char is sweetened with milk chocolate and dried grass. The taste is fruitier but by no means sweet, with a finish of honey, lemon, and a little ginger.

Midori Melon

Melon is, of course, the main player here. The aroma combines melon with candied apple skin, while the flavour is largely melon-based with dried banana and crisp green apple.

Umeshu

This smooth and refreshing plum wine is infused with the bittersweet, creamy, oak-matured tones of Suntory’s famous Yamazaki whisky. The fruity and vanilla tones are finished with a light touch of brandy to sweeten the bitter edge of this complex plum wine.

Food pairings

Enjoying Suntory alcohol with food is a Japanese tradition that you should partake in. Here  are some foods to try with your Suntory whisky:

• Sushi: Any Suntory alcohol works well with sushi, though Hibiki and Roku Gin are especially good.
• Smoked salmon: The smoky and salty flavour of the salmon pairs well with the light smoke flavours of Hakushu 12-Year-Old.
• White fish sashimi: The subtle sea salt flavour of white fish will enhance the hidden notes of Suntory Kakubin.
• Kobe beef: Kobe beef fat provides the perfect mouth coat for a Suntory Hibiki, cutting down the alcohol’s kick.
• Tempura: The earthy flavours of tempura make it a natural fit for the “mountain smokiness” of Hakushu.
• Tonkatsu (breaded-and-fried pork chop): Pair this classic meat dish with a Yamazaki 12-year-old. The whisky’s fruity tones are further enhanced by the sweet flavour of the pork.
• Chocolate cake: A classic combo: the berry flavours of Yamazaki mixed with a decadent chocolate cake.
• Daifuku mochi: The rich, fruity Yamazaki 18-year-old deserves to be paired with a sweet, chewy daifuku mochi.

How to enjoy Suntory drinks?

Suntory whisky can be enjoyed in many different ways, including:

• Neat
• On the rocks or half rocks
• Highball
• With a drop of water
• Hot
• In an old-fashioned cocktail

And you can’t go wrong with a classic Roku Gin or Sui Gin cocktail!

Notable Awards

Suntory has won many prestigious awards, demonstrating its place as one of the world’s top-tier drinks companies. Notable accolades include:

2022 International Spirits Challenge

• Hibiki 30 Years Old – Gold Award
• Hibiki 21 Years Old – Gold Award
• Hibiki JAPANESE HARMONY – Gold Award
• Hibiki BLENDER’S CHOICE – Gold Award
• Yamazaki 25 years Old – Gold Award
• Yamazaki 18 years Old – Gold Award
• Yamazaki 12 years Old – Gold Award
• Yamazaki – Gold Award
• Hakushu 25 years Old – Trophy
• Hakushu 18 years Old – Gold Award
• Hakushu 12 years Old – Gold Award
• Hakushu – Gold Award

World Whiskies Awards

• Hakushu 25 Years Old – World’s Best Single Malt Whisky

Experience the true essence of Japan with Suntory

Whether it’s an exceptional Suntory whisky or a fresh Roku Gin, there is a Suntory alcohol for everyone!

So buy a bottle from Whisky.my at the best price and let each sip take you on a trip through centuries of Japanese tradition, heritage and craftsmanship.